Rufous-backed Robin
Turdus rufopalliatus
Silhouette: Sharon Wegner-Larsen · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyTurdidae (Thrushes)
- GenusTurdus (Typical Thrushes)
- SpeciesTurdus rufopalliatus (Rufous-backed Robin)
About the Rufous-backed Robin
The rufous-backed thrush (Turdus rufopalliatus) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to Mexico but is also a casual visitor to the southwestern United States. It is also known as the rufous-backed robin.
The rufous-backed thrush was originally described in 1840 with the binomial Turdus rufo-palliatus and with modern spelling has kept that binomial ever since. Its further taxonomy is unsettled. The IOC, AviList, and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World assign it these three subspecies:
T. r. rufopalliatus Lafresnaye, 1840 T. r. interior Phillips, AR, 1991 T. r. graysoni (Ridgway, 1882) However, the Clements taxonomy does not recognize T. r. interior but includes it within T. r. rufopalliatus. In addition, some authors have suggested that T. r. graysoni deserves recognition as a full species, "Grayson's robin" or "Grayson's thrush". Clements calls its two subspecies the "rufous-backed robin (rufous-backed)" and "rufous-backed robin (Grayson's)".
This article follows the IOC et al. three-subspecies model. The rufous-backed thrush is similar in size and shape to the American robin (T. migratorius... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Rufous-backed Robin in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
White-throated Thrush
Turdus assimilis
Brown-backed Solitaire
Myadestes occidentalis
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Russet Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus occidentalis
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus aurantiirostris
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
Aztec Thrush
Ridgwayia pinicola
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus frantzii
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Yellow-eyed Junco
Junco phaeonotus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 2 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Rufous-backed Robin in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Rufous-backed Robin sighting in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, based on 17 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Rufous-backed Robin in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?
October has the highest sighting rate for Rufous-backed Robin in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca in our monthly data.